Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 2 days ago

Tom Garland

9.0

from Magnum

Double decant for sediment and pour. A remarkable still dark purplish garnet with bricking. On the nose: still captivating areomatics of stewed red fruit, worn leather, herbaceous, pencil shavings, eucalyptus, cigar wrapper, funky earth. Taste: silky, soft, savory, mature wine with just a hint of blackberry, currants, earth, dried herbs, mocha, and a smokey pepper/tobacco medium finish. Sure, on the downside, but if you like savory aged Napa cab this still works tonight. — 12 days ago

with Brenda

Sándor Jaguar

9.0

Delightful! Eaten with the rarest steak I ever cooked OOOOOOOPS — 19 days ago

with emily, Adam and 23 others

Ed Chin

9.3

Initial pour was impressive with dark blackberry sage and leather. What I found interesting was the noticeable amount of acid in comparison to the soft almost undetectable tannin. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

This wine screams right bank Bordeaux supported by a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark Ruby red in colour this has a lovely perfume with aromas of plum, cigar box, dried bracken and roses, tobacco and spice. Cinnamon and nutmeg from the oak. 70% of the French Oak barrels were new. Medium plus bodied. The tannins are there but lessening in impact. 14.5% ABV. This wine was #2 in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2013. A near neighbour of the aristocratic Chateau Ausone. — 17 days ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

I’ve seen this label so many times it was easy to dismiss. A big, dark, joyous bottle ( including the bottle itself, which is hefty). Syrah all the way. — 14 days ago

David White

9.3

NYE starter and it’s maturing nicely, classic St Julien notes and berry flavours, soft integrated tannins and good mouth filling feel with longish finish. — 7 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

St Julien in a perfect drinking now and for a couple of decades to come. Brilliant juice — 2 days ago

Noah Chasin

9.2

Initially concerns it was shot, three hours later it proved to be quite delightful. — 10 days ago

Carl D.

9.0

A vineyard that was rescued by the family that is coming into its own. — 3 days ago